Did I mess up?

[Forest Ump]

Thanks for the comments guys, I appreciate it.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

As this board knows, I'm the biggest proponent of 'Get the Call Right', but I must have missed the section that allows the umpire to seek input from the contestants when making this type of call.

While many youths in this age group are honest, I've also seen church league pastors come unglued and get bounced during the heat of competition. Please don't base your call on what the player says - especially after you've already made a call.

1) Swipe tag at second and you call the runner out. The runner is irate and storms off the field insisting that you blew it. You turn to the second baseman and say, "You did get him, right?" The second baseman say that he didn't. Do you change the call?

2) The pitch is delivered and you get screened on this high and tight delivery. The batter drops his bat and you call "Time" and award him first base. As he trots down there, do you ask him if it really hit him?

3) The outfielder makes a great attempt - diving away from you as he goes to corral the ball. He stands up with the ball in his mitt and you signal emphatically, "Out". The opposing coach had a better angle and is jumping up and down that the ball was trapped. You ask the fielder if he really caught the ball and he says, "Well, it was really close, blue." Do you then signal "No catch" and place the runner where you think he may have wound up if the ball had not been caught cleanly?

Come on...

[UMP25]

WWTB, Forest asked if what he did was right. I don't think a dissertation like yours above was really necessary, for I think it's obvious Forest knows that umpires don't seek a show of hands when deciding calls.

With respect to Forest's situation specifically, while the manner in which he handled it is not the preferred way, in his specific situation it worked out fine, and that's what is important. He may have gotten lucky things didn't get worse, or he may have handled it relatively well. That's probably a matter of opinion. However, a simple advisory comment is better than a rather condescending dissertation.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Originally Posted by UMP25

WWTB, Forest asked if what he did was right. I don't think a dissertation like yours above was really necessary, for I think it's obvious Forest knows that umpires don't seek a show of hands when deciding calls.

With respect to Forest's situation specifically, while the manner in which he handled it is not the preferred way, in his specific situation it worked out fine, and that's what is important. He may have gotten lucky things didn't get worse, or he may have handled it relatively well. That's probably a matter of opinion. However, a simple advisory comment is better than a rather condescending dissertation.

What Forest did was wrong. Is that better?

The player contradicted the umpire's original call (lack of one by PU and the BU obviously didn't kill it on a foul ball). This is not okay and the fact that it 'worked out' is not what is important. An umpire is not seek the input of the player in making his calls! The umpire then reversed his partner's call based on this input. That is not a dissertation, it is the basic premise of umpiring - call what you see.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by WhatWuzThatBlue

An umpire is not seek the input of the player in making his calls! The umpire then reversed his partner's call based on this input. That is not a dissertation, it is the basic premise of umpiring - call what you see.

Did I ever say an umpire should seek the input of a player? No. In fact, I specifically stated umpiring isn't up to a vote. I don't need to be lectured from someone who obviously assumed the wrong thing. I suggest you ditch the patronizing attitude and reread things once or twice before you puff up your chest and post. You're not dealing with a rookie umpire here.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Did I ever say an umpire should seek the input of a player? No. In fact, I specifically stated umpiring isn't up to a vote. I don't need to be lectured from someone who obviously assumed the wrong thing. I suggest you ditch the patronizing attitude and reread things once or twice before you puff up your chest and post. You're not dealing with a rookie umpire here.

I didn't assume the wrong thing. My opinion is being supported board wide.

You are guilty of the very same thing you've accused me of doing. Are you not telling me how to behave and making a judgement? I may not be dealing with a rookie, but when you've walked a mile in my shoes, then you can make an informed opinion about my judgement. Until then, please do not attempt to tell me what I did or did not assume.

This umpire blew the basic tenet of officiating. I will not allow you to destroy another thread with an ill informed post. You can have the last word here...it seems that most everyone else acknowledges that competent umpires don't require the assistance of the contestants to make the correct call. That is not judgemental, the truth stings only when there is an open wound. Go ahead and display that amzing wit for the world to see.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by WhatWuzThatBlue

I didn't assume the wrong thing.

Yes you did.

My opinion is being supported board wide.

So now you do allude to a vote? Hypocritical.

I may not be dealing with a rookie, but when you've walked a mile in my shoes, then you can make an informed opinion about my judgement.

Ah, the ole "walk a mile in my shoes" response. I suppose I could have said "you do over 4000 games over 29 years and you'd know my judgment," but I didn't.

It still is clear that you misinterpreted my original response to Forest. That happens. I'll just leave it at that.

[UmpJM]

For(r)est,

Rather than "piling on", let me just assure you that you are not the only umpire who has ever made this mistake.

While I commend your optimistic faith in the essential goodness of human nature (which I naively share), it has no place in officiating a baseball game.

Should you ever find yourself inclined to indulge this faith again while umpiring, just remember what your Momma always said:

"Stupid is as stupid does."

JM

P.S. Love the username. I hate you that you thought of it before I did.